Variable profile air bag restraint

• US 20020036400A1
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Winters, Mark Thomas, Pinsenschaum, Ryan Todd, Hawthorn, Laura Adelle, Dunkle, Stephanie L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,736,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion operatively attached to one or more profile restricting tether elements having an operative length which may be adjusted to provide desired inflation and impact response characteristics. The tether elements may be of actuated or self adjusting operative length to provide desired tension characteristics for various impact conditions.

Claims

1. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated to assume an inflated profile when connected to a gas generating inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a first point of secure attachment and at a second point of secure attachment such that an operative tethering segment of predefined length extends between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, at least a portion of the operative tethering segment being supported at an interior surface of the air bag cushion by at least one guide element disposed across the interior surface such that the operative tethering segment is moveable in sliding relation through said at least one guide element, the tether element being adapted to be operatively anchored in releasable relation to a support structure separate from the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment by drawing a portion of the operative tethering segment through said at least one guide element and towards the support structure such that the tether element restrains the inflated profile of the air bag cushion to a first depth when the tether element is anchored to the support structure, the tether element being releasable from anchoring relation to the support structure in response to an activation signal such that the tether element restrains the air bag cushion to a second depth which is greater than said first depth when the tether element is released from the support structure.

2. The air bag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tether element is releasably anchored to the support structure by an anchoring strap affixed to the operative tethering segment between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment.

3. The air bag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the operative tethering segment includes an anchoring strap affixed between the tether element and one of the first and second points of secure connection.

4. The air bag assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one guide element comprises a loop structure disposed at a discrete location at the interior surface of the air bag cushion.

5. The air bag assembly according to claim 4, wherein said discrete location at the surface of the air bag cushion comprises an impact face portion of the air bag cushion.

6. The air bag assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one guide element comprises an elongate sleeve element disposed along the interior surface of the air bag cushion.

7. The air bag assembly according to claim 6, wherein the elongate sleeve element is at least partially disposed along the interior surface of an impact face portion of the air bag cushion.

8. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated to assume an inflated profile when connected to a gas generating inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a first point of secure attachment and at a second point of secure attachment such that an operative tether segment of predefined length extends between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, at least a portion of the operative tether segment being supported at an interior surface of the air bag cushion by a plurality of guide elements disposed across the interior surface such that the operative tether segment is moveable in sliding relation through said guide elements, the tether element being adapted to be operatively anchored in releasable relation to a support structure separate from the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment by drawing a portion of the operative tether segment through said guide elements and towards the support structure such that the tether element restrains the inflated profile of the air bag cushion to a first depth when the tether element is anchored to the support structure, the tether element being releasable from anchoring relation to the support structure in response to an activation signal such that the tether element restrains the air bag cushion to a second depth which is greater than said first depth when the tether element is released from the support structure.

9. The air bag assembly according to claim 8, wherein the tether element is releasably anchored to the support structure by an anchoring strap affixed to the operative tethering segment between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment.

10. The air bag assembly according to claim 8, wherein the operative tethering segment includes an anchoring strap affixed between the tether element and one of the first and second points of secure connection.

11. The air bag assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the guide elements comprise loop structures disposed at discrete locations at the interior surface of the air bag cushion.

12. The air bag assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said loop structures are disposed at an impact face portion of the air bag cushion.

13. The air bag assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said loop structures are disposed along a side portion of the air bag cushion.

14. The air bag assembly according to claim 8, wherein one or more of said guide elements comprise elongate sleeve elements disposed along the interior surface of the air bag cushion.

15. The air bag assembly according to claim 8, wherein one or more of said guide elements comprise elongate sleeve elements at least partially disposed along the interior surface of an impact face portion of the air bag cushion.

17. The air bag assembly according to claim 16, wherein the tether element is releasably anchored to the support structure by an anchoring strap affixed to the operative tethering segment between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment.

18. The air bag assembly according to claim 16, wherein one or more of said guide elements comprises a loop structure.

20. The air bag assembly according to claim 19, wherein the tether element is releasably anchored to the support structure by an anchoring strap affixed to the operative tethering segment between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment.

16. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated to assume an inflated profile when connected to a gas generating inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a first point of secure attachment and at a second point of secure attachment such that an operative tethering segment of predefined length extends between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, at least a portion of the operative tethering segment being supported at an interior surface of the air bag cushion along a travel path defined by a plurality of guide elements disposed across the interior surface along the travel path and wherein at least a one of the guide elements is disposed at a side portion of the air bag cushion and at least one of the guide elements is disposed at an impact face portion of the air bag cushion, the tether element being adapted to be operatively anchored in releasable relation to a support structure separate from the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment by drawing a portion of the operative tethering segment through said guide elements and towards the support structure such that the tether element restrains the inflated profile of the air bag cushion to a first depth and width when the tether element is anchored to the support structure, the tether element being releasable from anchoring relation to the support structure in response to an activation signal such that the tether element restrains the air bag cushion to a second depth and width greater than said first depth and width when the tether element is released from the support structure.

19. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated to assume an inflated profile when connected to a gas generating inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a first point of secure attachment and at a second point of secure attachment such that an operative tethering segment of predefined length extends between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, the operative tethering segment extending in laced relation through a plurality of hollow guide elements disposed at discrete locations along a travel path across an interior surface of the air bag cushion wherein at least a first guide element is disposed at a first side portion of the air bag cushion, at least a second guide element is disposed at a second side portion of the air bag cushion in substantially opposing relation to the first side portion, and at least a third guide element is disposed at an impact face portion of the air bag cushion at a location along the travel path intermediate the first guide element and the second guide element, the tether element being adapted to be operatively anchored in releasable relation to a support structure separate from the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment by drawing a portion of the operative tethering segment through said guide elements and towards the support structure such that the tether element restrains the inflated profile of the air bag cushion to a first depth and width when the tether element is anchored to the support structure, the tether element being releasable from anchoring relation to the support structure in response to an activation signal such that the tether element restrains the air bag cushion to a second depth which is greater than said first depth when the tether element is released from the support structure.

21. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated to assume an inflated profile when connected to a gas generating inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant;

at least one profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a first point of secure attachment and at a second point of secure attachment such that an operative tethering segment of predefined length extends between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, at least a portion of the operative tethering segment being supported at an interior surface of the air bag cushion along a travel path defined by a plurality of guide elements disposed across the interior surface along the travel path and wherein at least one of the guide elements is disposed at an impact face portion of the air bag cushion, the tether element being adapted to be operatively anchored in releasable relation to a support structure separate from the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment by drawing a portion of the operative tethering segment through said guide elements and towards the support structure by an anchoring strap affixed to the operative tethering segment between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, the anchoring strap releasably engaging at least one side panel tethering line affixed to a side panel portion of the air bag cushion, wherein the tether element restrains the inflated profile of the air bag cushion to a first depth when the anchoring strap is held at the support structure and said at least one side panel tethering line restrains the inflated profile to a restricted width when the anchoring strap is held at the support structure, the anchoring strap being releasable from anchoring relation to the support structure in response to an activation signal such that upon release of the anchoring strap from the support structure, the anchoring strap is disengaged from said at least one side panel tethering line, and the tether element restrains the air bag cushion to a second depth greater than said first depth.

22. The air bag assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein the anchoring strap extends in sliding relation through an acceptance opening disposed along said at least one side panel tethering line.

23. The air bag assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein the anchoring strap is disposed in releasable engagement with at least two side panel tethering lines affixed to substantially opposing side panel portions of the air bag cushion.

24. An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the air bag assembly comprising:

an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated to assume an inflated profile when connected to a gas generating inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant, the air bag cushion including an impact face for impact by the occupant;

a first profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a first point of secure attachment remote from the impact face and at a second point of secure attachment remote from the impact face such that a first operative tethering segment of predefined length extends between the first point of secure attachment and the second point of secure attachment, the operative tethering segment extending in laced relation through at least a first hollow guide element disposed at an interior surface of the impact face; and

at least a second profile restraining tether element operatively secured to the air bag cushion at a third point of secure attachment remote from the impact face and at a fourth point of secure attachment remote from the impact face such that a second operative tethering segment of predefined length extends between the third point of secure attachment and the fourth point of secure attachment, the second operative tethering segment extending in laced relation through at least a second hollow guide element disposed at an interior surface of the impact face, such that upon inflation of the air bag cushion, the first and second operative tethering segments assume a first tensioned state wherein the first and second operative tethering segments are slidingly supported at first locations along the length of the first and second operative tethering segments by said first and second hollow guide elements respectively, and such that upon compression of the air bag cushion following inflation by the occupant impacting the impact face, at least a portion of the first and second operative tethering segments slide through the respective first and second hollow guide elements such that the first and second operative tethering segments assume at least a second tensioned state wherein the first and second operative tethering segments are slidingly supported at second locations along the length of the first and second operative tethering segments by said first and second guide elements respectively, whereby the first and second operative tethering segments are dynamically adjustable to maintain tension across the air bag cushion as the air bag cushion undergoes a reduction in depth and an increase in width during impact by the occupant.